Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-03-17

His first sermon at Plymouth created a
sensation. In it he declared with extreme
piainness his position on all the leading
national questions-slavery, the Mexican
war, temperance and other issues; but as to
theology, contented himself with saying that
he should strive to make his preaching "a
ministry of Christ" lie was publicly in
stalled as pastor Nov. IL, 1917, and in the
next ten years Plymouth church grew rapidly,
grew to be not only one of the great churches
of the land, but great center of lberality.
In 1919 Mr.. Beecher suffered his first severe
illness, which left him enfeebled for long
time, and in 1850 the society sent him to
Europe, where he remained three months.
His next visit there was in 1868, when he did
that great work in England which made him
so dear to all Union loving Americans. This
is no place to relate that wonderful story.
Suffice it to say that American statesmen
credit him with having converted the
British people to just view of the American
Civil War" Mr. Beecher himself always
looked upon this as the most try
ing experience of his life, though he
had been very active and prominent in the
anti-slavery agitation preceding the war, and
had fought for freedom Of speech in the dark
est hours. OF one of the gatherings lie adj
dressed in England he said: "The uproar
would come on and drown my voice-then
would wait and get in five minutes or So
The reporters would get that down. Occa-
sionally would see things that amused me
and laugh outright; the crowd would stop to
see what was laughing at and would sail
in with sentence or two"
Mr.. Beecher returned home to be welcomed
as no returning American had ever been, and
to remain for nine years the great representa-
tive American, the honored patriot, the in
fuential politician and the one pulpit orator
whose life was an almost constant ovation.
Then came the great cloud upon his fame.
which had lifted, indeed, but was not entirely
cleared away even at his death. In
this space it can only be touched
upon-a large volume would be needed
to give the details of the "Great
Brooklyn Scandal" of 1S72-75. 1t was en-
phatically q Brooklyn scandal, not exclu-
sively Beecher scandal; for its destructive
fury made havoc in many circles, sundered
lifetime friendships. destroyed the peace of
families, bankrupted business men, poisoned
schools and churches and wrought moral
desolation which even now we cannot esti-
mate. Take any view we can of it, some
people have been cruelty wronged; place the
guilt where we may, many people have per-
petrated the vilest treachery and some
the most unblushing perjury. In fact, the
saddening conclusions which logically follow
any verdict are so depressing that many good
men shrink from them and refuse to make up
their minds at all. But in spite Of this blot
Henry Ward Beecher will live in American
history as one of the really great men of his
age. We do well to honor him as patriot,
orator and friend Of the oppressed, ignoring
any personal weakness; his monument is in
the hearts of millions, and his career will
long remain as a bright chapter in the history
of Brooklyn.
The steadfast devotion of Mrs. Beecher to
her husband and family is well known. She
was a teacher before marriage, and was noted
for conscientious devotion to duty. 1t is not
too much to say that the funeral of the dead
pastor was unique. In accordance with his
wish, flowers were everywhere-the very pail
was covered with flowers. and no near friend
wore mourning. There was a private service
at the house Thursday, and on Friday pub
lie service at Plymouth church, where the
floral decorations were the most profuse. The
body lay in state part of Thursday, all OF
Friday and part of Saturday. Nearly 100000
people viewed 1t.